Study: Physicians Healthier than General Population

The data, from Gallup Healthways Physical Health Index and Healthy Behaviors Index, reveals that physicians are about half as likely to be obese compared to nurses and other workers, and are far less likely to have health issues such as hypertension and diabetes.

Additionally, physicians are five times less likely than the general working population to smoke.

The report includes surveys conducted between Jan. 2, 2011, and Aug. 31, 2012, and participants included 1,984 physicians and 7,166 nurses.

To measure physical health, those surveyed were measured on 18 factors, including the number of sick days they took in the past month, health issues, body mass index, and their energy levels. They were also asked about smoking, exercise and eating habits.